"Dad," said Potter, slowly, "they're the only thing I'm going to meddle with. They're my business, and I haven't any other business.... I'm going to be the man in the United States who knows more about aeroplanes and how to build them than anybody else.... And some day I'm going to build them." "Can't make it a commercial success, son. Nothing in it. If you want to get into business seriously, why, when you're strong enough, just drop around at the plant. I'll give you all the business you want." "I'm not thinking about commercial success," said Potter. "What's the big idea, then?" his father asked, jocularly. "Do you believe we can keep out of this war?" Potter countered. "Certainly. Why not? All we've got to do is keep our heads level and mind our own business. Nobody can get to us, and we couldn't get to anybody. You can't go to war in this country unless the people want war--and you never saw a people who want war less." "They're educated not to want war," Potter said, with an access of shrewdness. "Business is educating them, and I shouldn't be surprised if Germany was helping the education along. The Germans seem to be pretty well organized in a publicity way over here." "Well, don't let the possibility of war bother you. It won't come." "I'm afraid, Dad," Potter said, "that it _will_ come. If it comes, what shape are we in to fight? Do you realize that we would have to have twenty thousand aeroplanes? That's one item, but one of the most important. Twenty thousand! An army of millions--and the aeroplane is as vital to the army as the commissariat. That's fact. You can't dodge it. And we've got to get ready. Not to build an army of men alone. That is simple compared to the other things.... Where would we get twenty thousand aeroplanes if they were necessary suddenly?" "We wouldn't," said Fabius, and he laughed indulgently. "When you're well, you'll get these notions out of your head. It's just your condition, son. It'll work off." "No, Dad. It's here to stay.... We've got about fifty 'planes to-day. Bulgaria's got more.... Do you care much if this country keeps on?" "Why, sure! I'm an American. It's my country, but I guess nobody's going to monkey with us." It was the old, absurd notion of military invincibility. "We're going to get a mighty unpleasant waking up.... We've got to get ready. If we're ready there's less likelihood of trouble than if we aren't. Burglars don't break into a house when a policeman is standing in front and a bulldog is barking inside.... It's insurance. But we won't get ready. Not all of us." He paused, and something in the level determination that shone from Potter's eyes impressed his father.